Lyme Regis: Fears for future of jazz festival (From Bridport and Lyme Regis News)

Lyme Regis: Fears for future of jazz festival

10:39am Thursday 4th February 2010

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FEARS are growing for the future of Lyme Regis Jazz Festival amid dwindling support and struggling finances.

Organisers fear this year’s festival will be the last ever as they compete against other major events in the town for sponsorship and visitors.

They have decided the 2010 festival must go ahead because the event is in its 20th year but they will ‘seriously consider’ continuing next year.

The three-day festival will run this year from Friday, July 4 until Sunday, July 6 at four venues in the town.

Organiser John Fry said: “During the last couple of years of the festival, financing ongoing years has become more difficult as donations and sponsorship have dried up and grants which were forthcoming at the beginning were only there for a couple of years.

“Support for the festival has been declining for a number of years with programme advertising bought nearly half that of 10 years ago, despite the cost of advertising space not being increased.

“Ticket sales are now 10 to 20 per cent down in just a couple of years, even though the hiring fees for the bands taking part have been kept pretty much the same.”

He added: “The current organising team discussed the way ahead after the 2009 festival and depending on this year’s outcome – which it was felt had to go ahead as it was the 20th year – serious consideration will be given about whether to continue.

The festival was started in 1991 by a group of local jazz fans who attended the Swanage Jazz Festival and decided to put an event on in Lyme.

A loyal band of local businesses provide the venues and pay for advertising in the festival programme.

The Royal Lion Hotel is one of the four host venues in the town. Proprietor Lesley Stone said it would be a shame if the jazz festival ended.

She said: “It brings the visitors to Lyme and I have guests coming to stay. It’s a very healthy thing to support the various activities.

“I don’t charge the jazz festival for the room hire and I feel that contributes to their funds, and I also advertise in their programme.”

Mr Fry said in order to attract visitors, admission charges have also been kept the same for three years.

To help with the festival contact John Fry on 01297 443927.

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